For me, the best part of a TV show and a Movie is the writing. But since most writers aren’t pleasant to look at, I’m going to write about the actors on TV shows particularly the ensemble and their chemistry with one another.
You can expect that The Americans will be on top of my list based from scenes which included a number of people on the cast. Some of the most memorable scenes include the party at the Beeman’s where most of the cast were present. Even Chris Amador (Maximiliano Hernandez) was there to comment upon the foxiness of Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell). The whole wedding thing between Clark and Martha is also fun and memorable. Dramatic scenes are also fuelled by the intensity of their group performances. Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich, Margo Martindale. Need I say more?
From drama, let’s shift to comedy where a new show called The Goldbergs has touched my heart and also tickled my funny bone. This show is from the mind of Adam Goldberg which you may know from Saving Private Ryan as Private Mellish. The pilot was funny and their chemistry as ‘the Goldbergs’ was intensely believable. With TV right now peppered with unfunny and heartless comedy shows, The Goldbergs has proven that a funny family show with a heart is still doable.
Another great show with great casting is Suits. This show is really entertaining and award worthy. Its ratings are impressive but they don’t receive any Emmy love. One reason is because they’re on the USA network and the Emmy people are afraid to vote shows that people actually watch. Harvery Specter and Mike Ross (Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams) is the best duo since Batman and Robin. Their banter is excellent, supplemented by great writing and directing. The supporting cast members are also excellent in their own way and become much more better with interactions and the back and forth of delicious repartee. Rick Hoffman’s Louis Litt is one of the best characters on TV today, he steals the spotlight often. Meghan Markle, Sarah Rafferty, and Gina Torres are also great additions to thegroup. Every now and then the awesome cast is visited by like Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones), Abigail Spencer (Deliverance), and David Costabile(Breaking Bad and Low Winter Sun). Even their guest stars are amazing!
Over at the streaming world, Netflix has also mastered the art of careful casting with shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. Even Arrested Development was given a second chance for their dysfunctional family to entertain us again. All of these three shows have great casting, House of Cards are led by actors Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, and Kate Mara who are seen as good people but are split in the middle for their search of glory and happiness. Black is full of wonderful people, attractive people that we can’t help ourselves falling for. Despite the attraction, irony bites us when we are reminded that all these women are in prison.
